Philippines, 03 Dec 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


GGG Trainer Johnathon Banks Talks Training for Saturday's Murata Title Unification Fight in Japan

PhilBoxing.com




IT'S GGGOOD TO FINALLY BE IN JAPAN!
Golovkin and Murata Risk Their Belts in Middleweight World Title Unification Showdown This Saturday! Live from Japan on DAZN!

TOKYO (April 4, 2022) -- Gennadiy "GGG" Golovkin (41-1-1, 36 KOs), from Karaganda, Kazakhstan, boxing's most dominant middleweight of his era, has brought the Big Drama Show and his IBF and IBO world titles to Japan last week. Golovkin has crossed the U.S. and the Pacific Ocean to face two-time WBA middleweight champion and Japan's national hero Ryōta Murata (16-2, 13 KOs) in a long-awaited world title unification fight. Promoted by Teiken Promotions, in association with GGG promotions, Golovkin vs. Murata will take place this Saturday, April 4, and will be streamed live from Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, which borders Murata's hometown of Tokyo, to over 200 countries and territories, including the U.S., exclusively on DAZN (excluding Japan and Kazakhstan). The DAZN stream start time will be announced shortly. Golovkin and Murata boast a combined record of 57-3-1, 49 KOs -- a winning percentage of over 93% -- with 86% of their victories coming by way of knockout.

Golovkin's Big Drama Show has packed iconic arenas around the world, selling out Madison Square Garden, The O2 in London, the Fabulous Forum and StubHub Center in Los Angeles, and T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Saitama Super Arena is expected to join that illustrious list. Golovkin has been a middleweight world champion every year since 2010, a testament to his discipline, drive, and talent. His résumé includes a division-record 21 title defenses, 20 of them consecutively, also a division record.

Here's what Golovkin trainer Johnathon Banks had to say about Murata, training, and fighting in enemy territory.

"Murata is a winner. He has proven that as an Olympian, winning the gold medal, and as a professional, winning the WBA title twice. We know we are in for a tough fight on Saturday. And while the boxing fans of Japan are some of the best in the world, they will be rooting for their national hero Ryōta Murata, as they should.

"For some fighters a home game is a bonus. When working with Detroit-based fighters at Kronk, I've seen them do things in a local fight that shocked me, fighting way above their usual level. They get a charge from the hometown crowd. It's as if a power comes up from the ground under them and gives them an extra boost. And while that may benefit Murata, Gennadiy will not be intimidated by it. He's been fighting on the road for most of his career. I remember seeing Michael Jordan drop 50-60 points at The Garden. Playing an away game didn't seem to bother him. Gennadiy is the same way. He knows boxing is also a business and some deals can only get done if they are conducted in someone else's office. But Gennadiy never gets distracted. He is so focused on reunifying the middleweight title belts around his waist. Gennadiy is really looking forward to fighting before this sellout crowd on Saturday.

"This is our fourth fight together. We have been building on what Gennadiy has learned while incorporating what made him so special as an amateur, working on the basics --timing, rhythm, and speed. In boxing, to remain at the elite level, you either evolve or die. He's not depending solely on power punching. I still remember sitting with Emanuel Steward at amateur tournaments and both of us marveling at Gennadiy's all-round abilities inside the ring. He was an extraordinary power-punching boxer. He could do anything he wanted. He will be forty and a day when he enters the ring on Saturday, and he still approaches training like he's a young and hungry top-rated contender. He's really enjoying himself in the gym and it shows in his work ethic and the results. Gennadiy's an athlete's athlete."




Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 2 DECEMBER 2025: Kavaliauskas Wins by Split Decision Over Molina; Whittaker Stops Gavazi in 1; Malajika Wins by UD Over Paras
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • WBC Strips Terence Crawford of Super Middle Title
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • Soledad wins WBC Asian Continental title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • A night of power, legacy, and UAE pride: IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships opens in spectacular fashion in Dubai
    , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • OKC Thunder is NBA 2025-2026 Strongest Team
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • Who was Clever Sison?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • MATCHROOM BOXING RETURNS TO FONTAINEBLEAU LAS VEGAS WITH MURATALLA-CRUZ FIGHT, JAN. 24, 2026
    , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Undefeated Featherweight Luis Nuñez Prepares for Hector Sosa Showdown on PBC on Prime Video
    , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • Darry Bernardo, 4 other Pinoys in hot start in 3rd Asian Chess Championship 2025 for players with disabilities
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 03 Dec 2025
  • Two Pacquiaos on same card?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 4: 1924 OLYMPICS AT PARIS, FRANCE
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • Cebuana Lhuillier-Backed UTP National Team Shines at 40th Penang Open, Captures Multiple Titles
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • WBC 63th Annual Convention Opens in Bangkok
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor closing out a strong 2026
    , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • USA Boxing Announces Partnership with Xempower USA
    , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • THE RING 6: TEOFIMO-SHAKUR SET FOR JANUARY SHOWDOWN IN NEW YORK
    , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • Undefeated Middleweight Dante Kirkman Set to Return December 11 in Costa Mesa
    , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • Dejon Farrell Francis Turning Things Around
    , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • WBC Light Heavyweight Champion David 'The Mexican Monster' Benavidez Excited About History-Making Cinco De Mayo Showdown with Gilberto Ramirez
    , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • PPV.COM RETURNS TO THE RING LIVE STREAMING ALL-ACTION TITLE TILT ISAAC "PITBULL" CRUZ vs. LAMONT ROACH, JR
    , Tue, 02 Dec 2025
  • Llover Eyes Winner of Salas-Ngexeke IBF Title Duel in Mexico
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 01 Dec 2025
  • Jimuel draws in pro debut
    By Joaquin Henson, , Mon, 01 Dec 2025
  • Kevin Durant sets new NBA record
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 01 Dec 2025
  • LAZARO LORENZANA CAPTURES WBC REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE OVER LUIS ARIAS
    , Sun, 30 Nov 2025
  • Paras fails bid for IBO world super fly title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 30 Nov 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.